Rafa Benitez admits he is “really happy” that he chose to join Newcastle United as he closes in on his one-year anniversary at the club.

The 56-year-old will celebrate 365 days at the helm on Saturday when the table-topping Magpies host Fulham at St James’ Park, but first he must prepare his side for their third away game inside a week as they travel to Reading on Tuesday evening.

And the Spaniard admits that having the “whole city” fully embrace his effort to rebuild the club has helped him to enjoy his time on Tyneside so far.

“Twelve months ago, still I didn’t know what was going on,” Benitez said of his first year at St James’ Park.

“Staying here last season, watching the fans - hearing the fans more than just watching – was crucial in my decision and now I am really pleased because you can see the fans are so happy. Always when we go away, they are so happy.

“To have the city, the whole club, everyone following the team in a positive way, it’s really important, especially when you come from Italy or Spain and you know what is going on around.

“You can come, you can do your job, you can coach the team and enjoy. I am really happy that I came.”

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During his first year in charge, Benitez was unable to save the club from relegation with just 10 games left, but then decided to stay after Newcastle fans implored him to remain at St James’ Park.

Since then he has reformed the club both on and off the field, and he looks set to take the Magpies back to the Premier League at the first time of asking - though he insists certain things can still be improved upon.

“When you play two games in a week, you have to prepare the next game,” Benitez added.